STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE

Student Health Insurance

With all the things college students have to worry about, health insurance often gets the shaft. You've got tuition to pay, books to buy, schedules to figure out... and that doesn't even include studying. Student health insurance is one part of the college experience that often gets forgotten. But, it's just as important as all those other things.

Don't Assume You're Covered

If students are under a certain age, they may still be covered under their parents' insurance. This may be an ideal solution until they reach a certain age.

Colleges also offer insurance plans to their students. Most students accept the college's plan without thinking about it. Colleges often have clinics for students, and students assume that they can get all their healthcare needs met there.

What they don't realize is that the school's insurance coverage is often very limited. Very few schools have a clinic that is open around the clock, and if you need medical care in the middle of the night, you're only option is the emergency room and the astronomical out-of-pocket costs that will entail.

One more thing to keep in mind is that, except for the head doctors, the staff at your school's clinic are students just like you. They can give you antibiotics for your cold, but they can't handle any major medical problems or emergencies. This means that you will have to look for medical help outside of your coverage, and pay the full cost.

Getting Student Health Insurance

Going to the emergency room with no insurance will definitely cost you more than taking out a good medical plan. There are other options available for young, healthy college students.

Your school will offer the regular insurance that comes with your tuition, which allows you to use the on-campus clinic. For a little extra, most schools offer a group plan to students. This will probably be something like an employee-sponsored group insurance program, offering all the regular coverage you would expect.

Technically, this is supplemental insurance offered by your school in addition to its regular tuition insurance. You should ask the same questions that you would ask when you are taking out any insurance plan:

- How much are premiums and deductibles, and is there a yearly maximum coverage?

- Which physicians can I see, and can I get referrals when I need to see a specialist?

- What is not covered?

- Does this insurance plan cover me when I am traveling?

With group plans you don't have to deal with pre-existing conditions and age factors, so you will probably have low premiums and good, comprehensive coverage.

Although most insurance companies offer discounted student health insurance, your college's deal will be the cheapest. As long as it gives you full coverage and you are satisfied with the offer, it is probably the best deal.

If you are an international student, you have the option of buying into a health care plan in the country where you'll be staying, or going with a school-sponsored plan. The school sponsored plan will probably be most suitable. Another option is to take a policy out with a company that specializes in international insurance. Because it's their specialty, an international insurance company can give you a better deal than a regular private company from your home country.

Students have a lot to think about, but choosing the right health insurance shouldn't be passed up.

By: Judy Wellsworth

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You can also find more info on cheap Health Insurance and International Health Insurance. Medicalhealthinsuranceguide.org is a comprehensive resource to get help about health insurance.